Ship Sailing Under Israeli Flag Ordered Sold at Auction in Miami

December 2, 1966

MIAMI (Dec. 1)

The cruise ship Nili, one of the ships of the debt-ridden Somerfin Company, was ordered sold at auction by the Federal District Court here today to satisfy a bankruptcy claim. The 500-passenger ship has been tied up here since November 18 when the Israel Government asked a legal attachment on a claim that Somerfin had failed to meet a mortgage payment.

The Nili, which flies the Israeli flag, was tied up earlier this month for five days. The tie up stranded 500 passengers planning to make a Bahamas cruise. The ship’s local agent posted bond with the district court which cleared the Nili to sail November 22. The ship was seized again before that date.

Richard Ralph, a Miami attorney representing the Israel Government, said Israel will bid on the Nili in the auction to protect its interest in the mortgage of about $8,000,000. Other creditors also have filed claims. Date for the auction will be set soon.